Spring practice is over and like most associated with the Ole Miss football program expected, third-year sophomore Ryan Buchanan has the edge at quarterback over highly-skilled JUCO transfer Chad Kelly.

Rebels coach Hugh Freeze said after the spring game that Buchanan was out front based on the totality of spring drills and reiterated his point on Tuesday before a speaking engagement in Tupelo, Miss.

The competition is by no means over, however.

“We charted every practice, every possession, every throw and every missed assignment,” Freeze said according to Inside Ole Miss Sports. “I think (Ryan) has a very small lead, and the reason I say that … there’s still a lot of time between now and then.”

Kelly led the way in last weekend’s spring game with a 9-of-19, 104-yard effort which included a well-placed 43-yard touchdown pass for the Blue team. Kelly had noticeable zip on his throws and out-shined Buchanan who struggled, going 5-of-16 for 49 yards and a pick.

The primary reason for Freeze’s confidence in naming Buchanan as his leader is the experience factor. Buchanan knows the playbook and understands where the football needs to go schematically whereas Kelly has taken minimal reps since arriving in January.

The race heats up in August when the coaching staff has the better part of three weeks to decide a starting quarterback for the Rebels’ opener with Tennessee-Martin. Freeze says he’ll keep tabs on both quarterbacks this summer to see who directs voluntary workouts with other teammates and carries himself as a leader for the program.

Just days after signing with Ole Miss in December, Kelly was arrested for disorderly conduct outside of a bar in Buffalo, N.Y. and completed 50 hours of community service before moving to Oxford in January.

Freeze wants to ensure Kelly has learned his lesson and won’t jeopardize his future at Ole Miss with any other off-the-field issues.

And it might be too soon to count out projected third-teamer DeVante Kincade who Freeze admits closed the gap during spring ball. He’ll at least have a package or two this season to take advantage of speed and escapability.

“There are a lot of things that have to be done between now and fall camp that matter besides just throwing a ball,” Freeze said to Inside Ole Miss Sports. “I want to see who the best leader is, who can represent us the right way. I’m never presumptuous enough to say that something couldn’t change my opinion.”